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LOT 78
Rare, Documented Colorado Shipped Serial Number 1 Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 .38 Winchester Single Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 1, 38-40 WCF cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. The New Model No. 3 .38 Winchester Revolver is one of the rarest production models manufactured by S&W. From 1900 to 1907 only 74 units of this model were manufactured, and all units are found in the serial number range 1-74. Offered here is serial number 1! These ultra rare S&W revolvers were built in New Model No. 3 configuration but with the long 1 9/16 inch cylinder to accommodate the .38- 40 Winchester cartridge. The New Model No. 3 is often credited as the most advanced revolver design of the 19th century, made popular by lawmen and outlaws of the Western frontier who took their choice of sidearm very seriously. The accompanying factory letter for serial no. 1 confirms the revolver was shipped on July 24, 1901, and delivered to G. Tritch Hardware Co. of Denver Colorado. In the factory letter S&W historian Roy Jinks notes, “This was the largest single shipment of this rare model.” George Tritch (1829-1899) immigrated from Germany as a child around 1831 and established his first hardware store in Denver in 1860. The first store operated out of the cabin where the Tritch family also lived. The George Tritch Hardware Company grew to become one of Denver’s most successful commercial ventures during a time when Colorado had a well known reputation for being an unforgiving and lawless environment as settlers pushed westward in their quest to build their own American Dream. Years of unrest and bloodshed paved the way for the region to become the beacon of development of the West. Serial no. 1 is a high condition, well cared for Colorado shipped sidearm. The left side of the barrel is stamped “38 WINCHESTER CTG,” and the barrel rib has the one-line address. Matching serial number “1” appears on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. Over the years the revolver has been well-documented in various publications including Dean Boorman’s “The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms” on page 108, “Guns of the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum on page 198, and Jim Supica’s “The Illustrated History of Firearms, 2nd Edition” on page 94. The revolver was also loaned to the NRA Museum for a number of years and was on display there until two years ago. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% bright original high polish blue finish with smooth brown- gray patina on the grip straps and scratches. The hammer retains 98% plus vivid period refurbished case colors. The trigger guard has faded to an attractive gray patina. The grips are also very fine with some minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 .38 Winchester Revolver serial no. 1 is a must have for the serious collector, especially a collector who is on the hunt for one of S&W’s rarest production models. Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 12,000 - 20,000
LOT 79
Historic Documented Last Production Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action Revolver with Scarce 8 Inch Barrel and Factory Letter - Serial no. 35796, 44 S&W Russian cal., 8 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. In 1878 S&W introduced the New Model No. 3, and it was an instant success. Its design drew on handling and mechanical improvements from its popular predecessors, the American, Russian and Schofield models, and spawned a series of wide ranging variations, including a target model that dominated target competition in the late 19th century. For many gun historians, the New Model No. 3 was simply the finest single action revolver design of the 19th century, easily beating out the Colt SAA for the top spot. All frames for these revolvers were manufactured prior to 1899, which makes the gun an antique, but they were cataloged into the early 1900s as seen with this example. The New Model 3 serial number range is 1 to 35796, with this example, no. 35796, being the highest number New Model No. 3 S&W manufactured. Thus, it is a historic revolver that closed the chapter on one of S&W’s most popular and influential designs. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on June 1, 1908, and was delivered to M.W. Robinson of New York City. In the letter S&W historian Roy Jinks states unequivocally, “This was the last New Model #3 manufactured.” The revolver has the scarce 8 inch barrel and the longer top strap to accommodate the 1 9/16 inch cylinder. The barrel rib has the late production one-line address. The left side of the barrel is stamped “44 S&W CTG.” The grips are checkered walnut. The matching serial number appears on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% original blue finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance, some dings on the barrel and butt, and a few patches of pitting on the cylinder. The slightly undersized grips are good with a series of dings on the butt and wear along the top of the checkering. Mechanically fine. This historic last production S&W New Model No. 3 Revolver brought an end of an era to one of S&W’s most popular designs. A must have for the serious S&W collector. Provenance: The Supica Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK GUNS OF THE NRA NATIONAL SPORTING MUSEUM
Important Historic Note
Only 74 Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action Revolvers were produced in .38 Winchester, all in their own serial number range, with this example being the very first produced.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK HISTORY OF SMITH & WESSON FIREARMS BY BOORMAN
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